12 Herbs that Help Relieve Stress

Herbs are plants that are used for flavoring food and have been a big part of our culinary tradition. While herbs may be known for imparting their earthy flavor, not many know that they also have many medicinal purposes! Besides being used for their taste, not many know the medicinal benefits herbs have. With the conscious eating lifestyle now becoming a trend, it is time to know why there herb are used, and what their benefits are.

Here’s a list of 10 herbs that help relieve stress!

Chamomile

Chamomile has to top the list. It is the best known herb that can help tackle anxiety and stress problems. Used for centuries in tea or taken as a supplement, this herb is a sure shot towards tackling your stress and keeping it at bay. Chamomile is a sedative that naturally calms the nerves and even reduces digestive problems. Headaches, liver problems and even minor lung problems have been treated naturally using this wonder herb! What’s best, it is safe to use for children as well! For those children who are suffering from anxiety, its mild sedating effect works like a charm.

Passion Flower

Some medicines look so frightening, it is a task to consume them. Some taste so bad, you feel like you might just retch. Here’s the exception – passion flower! It not only looks beautiful and exotic, but is also mild in taste. The chemicals that are present in passion flower have a calming effect, which is effective in treating anxiety and stress. Not only does it help relieve stress, but also relaxes the muscles as well! It can also be used to treat nervousness and agitation, along with seizures. The best way to soak the benefits of passionflower is to have passionflower infused tea.

Lavender

Lavender is multi-faceted. Its flower provides the beautiful fragrance, which is prized by many. Not is only breathtaking to see, but is also a stress relaxant. Even smelling the flower is said to help ease out the stress. You can also have it infused with tea, or use lavender incense sticks to help reduce stress and anxiety. Its relaxing fragrance and stress reducing properties are what make it highly used in aromatherapy sessions as well. Lavender is also beneficial for treating insomnia, and restlessness as well. Lavender oil is also used and massaged in, to help with severe stress problems.

Ashwagadha

Ashwagandha is an Indian herb is known for its relieving properties and is considered to be more effective than medicinal drugs. The herb has a calming effect on the nervous system, which helps relieve even high stress problems. Ashwagandha is used in Ayurveda for similar ailments, and has shown effective positive results within a few days of usage! Not only does it relieve stress, but it is also known to increase stamina. The magic behind this herb is that it lowers the level of the stress hormone cortisol, which consequently reduces stress. Need a go-to choice for stress? This is it.

Catnip

Catnip is a unique stress reliever. Catnip not just tackles stress and anxiety, but also fights the symptoms of anxiety. This means not only does it treat anxiety, but also helps reduce future problems. It is also efficient in treating spasms as well! It is equally efficient in battling the headaches that often occur from stress and anxiety. It is mostly used to treat severe stress and anxiety issues.

Valerian Root

Valerian Root is an effective sedative. Due to this property, it is mainly used as a sleep aid. Valerian Root also had muscle relaxant properties, which soothe the muscles and facilitate a stress free environment. Many use Valerian Root for bronchitis and spasms as well. However, due to its potency, it is not recommended for use all. Children, those using other medications and pregnant women should not used this herb.

Kava Kava

Kava is perhaps the most effective herbal remedy for sever anxiety and stress. It has been proven to be effective in cases of insomnia also. Kava is also known to tackle symptoms of tress, as well as overall mental health. However, it is suggested that you do not us Kava if you have liver problems, or consumer alcohol regularly. The efficacy of Kava for stress has been proven to be at par with some of the top prescription drugs. However, Kava does make the consumer drowsy due to its potency, and hence it is suggested that it should be consumed under strict monitoring, or by a doctor. Kava also should be avoided if you use St. Johns Wort as well.

Asian Ginseng

Ginseng is perhaps one of the most popular herbal remedies in the world. It is used in Asia as well as the Americas. The Native Americans used to use the root of the ginseng plant for treating headaches, fevers and indigestion. Ginseng is also used to treat infertility.

However, one of the other benefits of using Asian Ginseng is that it is a effective treatment for anxiety, stress and depression. It is used as a supplement to treat severe anxiety and cases of minor depression as well. The trick with Ginseng is that it helps cope with various stress causing agents, thereby eliminating the stress altogether!

Holy Basil / Tulsi

Holy Basil is one of the most used herbs in the world. It is also known as the ‘Queen of Herbs’ and has an important and sacred place in Ayurveda as well. It is known to radically decrease the amount of depression. stress, and anxiety. It lowers the level of cortisol in the body without having adverse side effects. Not only does it decrease stress levels but stimulates and enhances mental and physical well being. The magic of Holy Basil works as it is an adaptogen and a anxiolytic by nature, which facilitates resistance to anxiety and mental stress agents.

Licorice Root

Licorice is known as a chew candy to most, but what it is beneficial for is stress. The root has a natural substance that reacts with cortisone, which helps the body handle stressful situations while lowering the cortisol levels to reduce further stress and anxiety. Licorice root also helps lower the blood sugar level, helping the body adapt to stressful situations and providing energy. The best way to benefit from the goodness that licorice root has is to have it with tea.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus can be used as an oil to help with severe and moderate stress and anxiety. The oil provides a feeling of relaxation instantly after massaging it in, with long term benefits with consistent use! Another alternative to soak up the goodness of Eucalyptus is to consume it infused with tea.

Jojoba

Jojoba is an interesting relaxant and stress reliever as it gives a relaxing and soothing effect externally. It is not consumed much, but is added to oils and pastes that are massaged in to help relieve stress. Jojoba acts on the skin, making anyone feel instantly relaxed! However, it is advised that you consult a doctor before using it, depending on your needs.

And so there it is! The 12 herbs that help reduce stress! No worries of any kind anymore!